Friday, June 21, 2013

VSL#3 Junior Probiotic for IBS and UC (CLOSED)

~This review was made possible by VSL#3 and Patsy Catsos~

VSL#3® JUNIOR is a probiotic medical food for children ages 2 to 12, for the dietary management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Ulcerative Colitis. VSL#3 JUNIOR consists of 8 strains of live freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria. Each packet contains 225 billion live probiotic bacteria and is supplied in a box containing 30 packets. VSL#3 mixes easily in water and has a natural watermelon flavor.

I have suffered from Ulcerative Colitis since I was 23 years of age. I was unable to have children because of constant flare ups, and finally when I was able to have children there was a constant worry they would inherit my stomach troubles. My kids are 5 yrs old and 2 yrs old and so far so good!

Many children today suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Ulcerative Colitis. I know what I feel like when I'm in a flare up, I can't imagine a young child dealing with the ups and downs of these conditions.

There is hope, however -- new VSL#3® JUNIOR, a watermelon-flavored, high-potency probiotic medical food aids in the dietary management of IBS and is clinically proven to reduce abdominal discomfort and bloating from IBS in children ages 2 to 12. All natural VSL#3 JUNIOR is gluten free, Kosher and Halal certified.

“While there is no known cause or cure for IBS, incorporating a probiotic medical food like VSL#3 JUNIOR into your child’s diet along with learning what foods trigger the uncomfortable symptoms, can prove very beneficial,” explains Patsy Catsos, registered dietitian and author of IBS! Free At Last! “When trying to figure out a child's IBS food triggers, begin by discreetly keeping a food and symptom journal for at least two weeks. Include portion sizes and timing of meals and symptoms,” adds Catsos.

To help parents out at meal time, Patsy Catsos offers a few healthy, easy-to-make recipes that are sure to please the pickiest of eaters:

1. Muscle Builder's Banana and Cottage Cheese Pancakes: These make a special breakfast, served steaming hot! Keep them IBS-friendly by serving them with 100% pure maple syrup instead of pancake syrup, and if necessary, lactose-free cottage cheese.

3. Baby Spinach Quesadillas: This is an IBS-friendly version of a perennial favorite because it uses corn tortillas instead of wheat to complete this classic with a twist that’s still downright delicious.

4. Macaroni and Cheese: Mac n’ cheese is a classic comfort food straight from mom’s oven and making it IBS-friendly is easy by using lactose-free milk, cheddar cheese and corn macaroni instead of wheat.

5. Grilled Chicken with Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce: Everything’s better with peanut butter on it! This tasty version of an Asian classic is IBS-friendly because it doesn’t rely on onions or garlic for its zippy taste.

6. Deviled Eggs: Whip up a batch of this old-fashioned treat that still tastes as good as ever and inexpensive too!

7. Magic Peanut Butter Cookies: These are easy and delicious no-flour cookies. Kids with IBS sometimes do better if we down-play the wheat in their diets, advises Catsos.

8. Comforting Chocolate Pudding: Puddings are delicious, comforting, and easily made IBS-friendly with lactose-free milk for older children and teens that are lactose intolerant.

9. Coconut Granola Bars: This nutritious granola bar holds up well to travel in a lunch box or backpack. The ground chia seeds are a gentle source of fiber and boost the protein content of these bars, too.

The Giveaway: How would you like to win your own copy of Patsy Catsos book, IBS Free at Last?? I have one to give away to one lucky contestant!
To enter the giveaway please follow all of the directions below! If you don't follow the rules, you can't win!

9 comments:

I like the deviled eggs recipe, I have a friend whose daughter has U.C and its sudden onset devastated their year I think this kind of book would be an excellent resource for anyone trying to deal with these issues with a child!